March 2023 Highlights of Taupo

 Due to the closure of the road from Wairoa to Napier , we first had to travel North to Taupo, then south to Martinborough.

But first we thought we'd treat ourselves to a few days in Ohiwa - just to unwind after the disarray of the cyclones. The beach had changed quite a bit, and the tide goes out a long way. I was tempted to go in the surf, but then we watched people wading, wading out, and still up to their knees. My tummy would have grounded me as soon as I set off on a wave! We used the camp pool instead.

Duncan did a few runs along the sand, and we read, and played scrabble and just relaxed.

On the 26th of March we set off for Taupo using the Galatea road, stopping for morning tea at Murapara. We are staying in the Top Ten Camping ground in Taupo which Jackie's cousins own. Small world!

Next morning we head off to see the sights of Taupo. There are certainly plenty of photo opportunities - this one looks like it is one of the older ones with Carved po which you can pose between.

Carved panels in stainless steel

See below how these panels were grouped around this imposing statue

A closeup of the workmanship.

Some sort of regatta was going on, and  you can even see a parachute glider being towed by a boat. We watched the Hole in One golf where you try and hit the pool into a hole on a pontoon in the lake. Duncan was not tempted this time. He has met the owner who is doing very well for himself! That night we went to Vine for dinner. We had small plates, and the food was delicious, and the wines by the glass were of very good quality.

Next morning we decided to do some really touristy things, starting with Huka Falls, which is just as breathtaking as always, and then the Craters of the Moon.

We were a bit tempted to take the jet up close, but in the end decided to give it a miss and go to Craters of the Moon. To be fair, they hadn't actually been to the moon when this attraction was set up, so, really, nothing like the moon as  has been subsequently found out. It is a couple of kilometres walk on a well graded track, with various little flumeroles of steam every so often.

This last is what really got me excited. They are club moss, which is a very primitive moss, and the shrubs were kanuka not manuka, just they hadn't grown because the conditions are so hostile.

It seemed compulsory to have a meal in a cafe near the waterfront - so we had a very late lunch before heading back to the camping ground. We want an early start the next morning.